Chelsea Step-up Chase For Spurs £50m-rated Target As Replacement For Matic

Chelsea are hotting up in their pursuit of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, according to reports.

The English star has made it clear his intentions to leave Goodison Park this summer after refusing advances from the Toffees to tie up him to a new deal.

Antonio Conte is clearly furious with Chelsea’s transfer activity this window and wants new faces to compete with their league rivals next season and also in Champions League.

The club’s hierarchy are ready to sign Ross Barkley to appease their unhappy manager but will have to beat a host of clubs in the Premier League to the signature with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal both ready to sign the midfielder but are reluctant to pay Everton’s £50 million asking price.

Reports in the Daily Telegraph claim that Chelsea will now go out to beat their league rivals to sign the 23-year-old.

The Premier League champions are also believed to after a host of midfield options to replace Nemanja Matic who has joined Manchester United. Leicester City midfielder, Danny Drinkwater and Arsenal star Alex Oxlade Chamberlain have both been tipped to make a stunning move to Stamford Bridge this summer, although both clubs have come to dismiss such reports despite suggestions that the pair are open to a summer move.